The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) is excited to announce the launch of the application process for the highly anticipated 2024 edition of Fête de la Musique. Musicians, bands, singers, poets and DJs of all genres are invited to seize the opportunity to be part of this renowned festival.
Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, has captivated audiences with its diverse musical offerings, encompassing jazz, soul, funk, rock, electro, reggae, classical, and more. Organized by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and coproduced by Bassline, this festival has graced Johannesburg for the past 13 years with the invaluable support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa.
Scheduled for the 22nd of June 2024 in Johannesburg at Victoria Yards, this year’s Fête de la Musique promises a full day of free, family-friendly concerts, creating a vibrant platform for emerging artists. The event embraces an array of musical genres, from traditional tunes to rap, hip-hop, techno, jazz, and beyond. Renowned artists such as Msaki, Samthing Soweto, Vaudou Game, Nakhane, and many others have contributed to the festival’s success over the years.
“We are particularly excited to widen the categories to include Slam Poetry this year. This will not only enrich our diverse lineup but also highlight the remarkable growth of the slam poetry scene in South Africa. This powerful form of self-expression has become a dynamic force, captivating audiences with its unique blend of spoken word, emotion, and social commentary” says Sophie Boulé, Cultural Attaché and Deputy Director of IFAS.
Given the high volume of applications, there will be no audition. Instead, a panel of professionals, including Mamthug (BeatsByHer, South Africa), Sonya Mazumdar (EarthSync, India), Violet Maila (Music in Africa Foundation), Sakifo Talents (Reunion Island) and Mustapha Terki (Canada) will carefully review the tracks and applications.
Selected artists will have the unique opportunity to participate in workshops around the festival date, led by industry professionals who will tailor sessions to meet the specific needs of the performers. Beyond offering a stage, the workshop aims to foster a sustainable and meaningful experience of knowledge-sharing and networking.
To be part of this musical celebration, interested musicians are invited to submit their applications by April 15th, 2024 or until we have received 300 entries. The application process involves sending a comprehensive pack including a bio, photos, technical rider, sound clips, videos, and press kit, along with the completed application form, which can be found at: www.linktr.ee/fete.de.la.musique.jhb
Submissions should be sent via WeTransfer to fetedelamusiquejoburg@gmail.com.
Successful applicants will be chosen based on the originality of their work, as well as their musical and stage performance qualities. Fête de la Musique 2024 is not only an opportunity for the public to discover new local talents but also a platform for artists to showcase their potential on stage.
Best of luck to all applicants as they embark on this exciting musical journey!
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Maria Mccloy: mccloypr@gmail.com
Sarah Jenkins: sarah.jenkins@frenchinstitute.org.za
Zaza Hlalethwa: zaza.hlalethwa@frenchinstitute.org.za
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ABOUT Jury Members
Mustapha Terki is an International Events and Festivals Creator, Co-founded the Meg Montreal Festival in Canada. He is also the creator of the Transatlantic Festival in Saintes, France (2022), Co-Founder of the Franco-Québécois Festival, and General Director of the Printemps de Bourges Network (1989-2000). He has also been involved in organizing the Electronik Groove Meeting in Saint Gilles (2000, 2014, 2015), and artistic direction and tour organization for artists in Seoul, Tokyo, Lisbon, Florence, and many other cities.
Gogo Liziwe Kwanini (Pronouns: She. Thug.), creatively known as “Mamthug” is your favourite DJ’s favourite DJ. The JHB-based sonic curator, production princess and all round cutie explores the African alternative music scene’s various themes and ideologies through the use of sonic and culture-connecting experiences. Mamthug is Curator of BeatsByHer, a femme-led sonic experience established by Untitled Basement, and Host of Thugsgiving on Oroko Radio, Ghana. Both platforms celebrate the sonic sisterhood of the alternative music ecosystem based on inclusion, skills transfer, and development. When she is not gracing the stages of Bushfire, Rocking the Daisies, Basha Uhuru just to name a few, Mamthug returns to being a city mythical creature whose life’s pursuit is simple yet evocative telling.
Press Pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TgWtPGvNkqxGDb2tZBm-Bwwvre4hBUpJ?usp=drive_link
Sonya Mazumdar is the Founder/Director of EarthSync, a music production house, award-winning documentary film producer, and a global, cross-cultural artistic collaborator. EarthSync’s initiative IndiEarth XChange (2012), a trade event with music and film festivals, conferences and masterclasses was created to build a multi-country collective of professional, cultural, educational and economic collaborations for the independent music, film and media industries in India and the Indian Ocean Region, and facilitates cross-border artistic collaborations. Sonya co-founded Culturas360 (2021), a unique global collective of 14 international music festivals in the South & North Americas, Europe, India, and Asia.
Sakifo Talents, based in Reunion Island, is a publisher and producer of live music. We offer comprehensive, long-term support to artists by leveraging the production capabilities of Intaka Production. Intaka Production is renowned for organizing major events such as the Sakifo Musik Festival and Francofolies de La Réunion. Our mission is to foster talent and elevate their careers through expert guidance and access to significant musical platforms.
Violet Maila is a music professional and art activist from South Africa. She is currently the project manager for the Music in Africa Foundation in Johannesburg. Her previous work experience includes a number of roles at music productions in Malawi and Angola, as well as popular East African music festival Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, where she lived for some time.
Maila is also qualified in visual communications, and boasts more than 10 years work experience in design, above-the-line and below-the-line brand campaigns for marketing companies across the retail, financial, Information Technology and transport sectors, among others.
About IFAS
Since its creation in 1995, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) has been working on a strong policy of cooperation between South Africa, France and the rest of the African continent. The cultural arm of the Embassy of France to South Africa, IFAS works in all fields of artistic creation, with priority given to the cultural and creative industries. Through actions based on co-creation, IFAS encourages and promotes collaboration with key players in the French cultural sector. IFAS actively promotes young talent and training and participates in the reflection on public policies by constantly pursuing the idea that arts and culture are powerful factors for inclusion and social cohesion. Each year IFAS organises or supports more than 100 projects, which are carried out with partners located in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi but also on the whole African continent, in France and in Europe.